Clare Car Accident Lawyer

Injuries sustained in car accidents can result in victims requiring surgery, ongoing medical care and other health-related treatment. As a result, the costs associated with these services can create a significant financial burden for many families. At Jay Trucks and Associates, we have been advocates for auto accident victims in Michigan for more than 30 years.

... Wonderful people with top quality representation. I am truly blessed to have found this firm... - Tim Hastings

Our licensed auto accident attorneys have recovered more than $500 million in compensation for our clients, including a $2,000,000 settlement for a victim of a crash who suffered catastrophic injuries and a $600,000 recovery for a passenger that was injured in a rental car.

If you have sustained injuries in a Michigan car accident, we encourage you to contact an experienced Clare car accident lawyer at our firm to discuss your potential claim and how we may be able to help. We offer a free initial consultation and require no upfront fees for our services. You pay us nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

What is the Value of My Case?

There are many factors that must be considered to answer this question, such as:

Whether you missed work as the result of injuries sustained in the crash

The types of coverage or policy limits of the at-fault party or vehicle owner if you were a passenger or driving someone else’s car

Other optional coverage that may apply, such as uninsured or underinsured motorist protection (UM/UIM)

Whether you or other injured victims may suffer severe or permanent limitations

The type and degree of pain and suffering you are experiencing because of the accident

At Jay Trucks and Associates, we are prepared to discuss your potential claim in a free consultation. We have extensive experience calculating the value of Michigan car accident claims and are prepared to help you pursue the maximum compensation for your damages, if we find you have a valid claim.

Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer

While we cannot guarantee any specific outcome, our attorneys are experienced at handling car accident claims, and we are prepared to manage each step of the legal process, which may include:

Investigating the crash

Obtaining video footage

Getting eyewitnesses statements

Negotiating with insurance adjusters for fair compensation

Consulting medical experts to determine the extent of your injuries and the projected length of your recovery

Using technology to reconstruct the crash, when necessary

Car accident victims who choose to hire a lawyer typically recover more compensation for their damages than those who attempt to deal with the insurance company on their own.

Visit our testimonials page to find out what our satisfied clients have to say about our services. One client said “I was lost and didn’t have a clue what to do. My case was falling apart. Jay Trucks rescued me and helped me with everything I needed.”

Michigan No-Fault Car Insurance

Michigan is one of a handful of states with a no-fault car insurance system. That means drivers injured in a crash in Michigan usually seek compensation from their own insurance policies, no matter who was at fault for the accident.

Motorists will not be able to get a license plate for their vehicle without proof of insurance. It is also against state law to drive a car that is not insured or for you to allow another person to drive your vehicle if you have not yet purchased the required coverage. Penalties for violating the law may include having your license plate canceled, along with substantial fines and potentially some jail time.

Michigan drivers should be aware that a new No-Fault Auto Insurance Reform Bill was signed into law and will take effect on July 1, 2020. This law will introduce significant changes to liability limits and PIP coverage options.

No-fault insurance has three parts:

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

For claims filed before July 2020, PIP pays all reasonably necessary medical expenses and there is no maximum limit to the coverage provided, no matter who was at fault in the accident. PIP may also pay as much as 85 percent of income you would have earned if you had not been hurt – this benefit is provided for up to three years. Policyholders are also entitled to up to $20 per day in compensation for household services the injured person can no longer perform, such as housekeeping and yard work.

As of July 1, 2020 new options for reduced PIP coverage go into effect, including the ability to opt out of PIP coverage altogether if you have a qualifying health insurance plan. Drivers can choose between unlimited PIP coverage, $250,000, $500,000 or $50,000 for Medicaid enrollees.

It is important to note that the deadline for filing a no-fault insurance claim is one year from the date of the accident. If you miss your filing deadline, you could be denied the opportunity to obtain any benefits.

Property Protection Insurance (PPI)

This provides up to $1 million for damage to property of another individual or business, including a properly parked vehicle. It does not cover any other type of property damage, including damage to the other vehicle in an accident.

Bodily Injury and Property Damage

If you are found legally responsible for an accident, this minimum coverage pays for the damages you caused. Minimum coverage required is $20,000 per person, and up to $40,000 per accident if more than one person was injured. An additional $10,000 is the minimum requirement for property damage coverage.

Unsure of the insurance coverage that may apply to your accident? Our attorneys have extensive knowledge of Michigan auto insurance laws.

What Happens if the Other Driver Does Not Have Insurance?

Although it is illegal in Michigan, some drivers choose not to purchase the required insurance.

If you are injured in an accident with an uninsured driver, or one who does not have enough coverage to pay for your damages, you may be able to file a claim for your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This coverage is optional and is usually sold with limits of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per crash.

However, these types of claims are often more complicated, as certain requirements must be met before you can use this coverage. That is why it can be very helpful to have the assistance of a licensed attorney.

Our knowledgeable Clare car accident lawyers welcome the opportunity to review the circumstances of your accident to determine the insurance coverages that may apply.

What Should You do if the Insurance Company Calls?

Injured victims may be surprised when they get a phone call from an insurance company. They are not calling to try to get you the compensation you need as quickly as possible. Insurance adjusters are trained to be friendly and find ways to reduce the value of your claim because their priority is to keep money in their employer’s pocket, not place it in yours. Here are some of the tactics the insurer will use to devalue your claim:

Taking advantage by asking you for information while you are “off-guard” and still recovering

Misleading you by saying you must provide a recorded statement to ensure your claim is processed – or that it will make your claim get processed more quickly

Offering you a settlement amount that they know to be far less than your claim is worth

Using innocent statements that you may say in polite conversation, such as, “I’m feeling fine” to document that you are not injured badly – or at all

Trying to get you to admit a degree of fault by asking you the same questions in different ways

It is important to note that you are not required to answer any questions or even speak with an insurance adjuster. Your attorney can handle all communications on your behalf to ensure the value of your claim is protected.

Can I File a Lawsuit After a Car Accident?

Under Michigan’s no-fault system, car crash victims cannot file a lawsuit unless the accident fits one of four criteria:

They were seriously injured, permanently disfigured or killed in the accident

The other driver was not a resident of the state and was driving a motor vehicle not registered in the state

They were in an accident in another state

If you are 50 percent or more at fault for an accident that damages another’s car and these damages are not covered by insurance (the lawsuit can be for a maximum of $1,000)

If you are unsure if your accident fits one of these criteria, you can call our Clare car accident attorneys to discuss the crash.

However, it is important to contact us as soon as possible because Michigan’s statute of limitations limits the amount of time you are given to file a lawsuit. For any injury claim caused by a motor vehicle – including a car, motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrian – you must file within three years of the date of the crash. If you wait to contact us it may be harder for us to build a strong case, as investigations take time.

Common Types of Car Accidents

It only takes one distracted, aggressive or wreckless moment to cause an accident, and in spite of attempts to educate the driver community, accidents that could have been prevented still happen. Whether you were injured in a collision with one vehicle or involved in a multi-vehicle crash, we are prepared to help. The most common types of car accidents we see are:

Rear-end collisions

Rollover accidents

Multi-vehicle crashes

Head-on collisions

Sideswipes/T-bone accidents

Drunk or distracted driving accidents

High-speed crashes

Left-turn accidents

If you suffered injuries caused by a negligent driver, we encourage you to call one of our Clare auto accident lawyers today. We understand Michigan’s complicated no-fault system and, if you have a case, are prepared to help you to recover the damages you incurred.

If you believe there was some form of negligence that contributed to your crash, it is important to discuss the situation with a licensed legal professional.

Common Injuries From Car Accidents

Although newer vehicles have more safety features, crashes involving these vehicles can still cause serious injuries. The extent of an injury often depends on the size of the vehicles involved and the speed they were traveling at impact.

Some of the most common and severe injuries experienced by drivers and passengers include:

Deep cuts or gashes

Soft-tissue injuries

Traumatic brain injuries

Fractured or amputated limbs

Severe bruising

Whiplash

Spinal cord injuries

Paralysis

It can be overwhelming for victims to try to figure out how to navigate the legal system while trying to recover from serious and, in some cases, life-altering injuries. That is why you should strongly consider hiring legal representation.

Call a Clare Car Accident Lawyer Today

Car accidents are a stressful and devastating experience for many, and most injured victims do not have the legal knowledge or resources to aggressively investigate the crash or accurately assess the fair value of their damages. Additionally, Michigan’s no-fault statute is confusing, and many victims may not be fully aware of their rights under the law.

Our experienced legal team has been representing personal injury victims throughout Michigan for decades, and we are dedicated to protecting our clients’ legal rights and advocating for their best interests. We want our clients to be able to focus on healing and getting back to their lives while we utilize our extensive resources and knowledge of the law to help obtain maximum compensation.

At Jay Trucks and Associates, we do not collect any upfront fees from our clients. Our initial legal consultation is free and places you under no obligation to pursue a claim. We only get paid if you do.

$1,305,000Recovery

$1,148,320Recovery

$1,148,320 work comp settlement for a floor installer who injured his right knee at age 36 and was diagnosed with a severe case of reflex sympathetic dystrophy that subsequently necessitated amputation…

Todd and his office staff were very responsive. They kept me informed about what was happening with my case. Todd was very personable and made me feel as if I were his first priority. I would recommend him to represent anyone. Thank you Todd and Liz!

Michelle Johnson

Jason and Liz are awesome! They helped settle my workmans comp case in a timely and professional manner. There were time's when I wanted to give up and throw in the towel .I would get frustrated with workmans comp and all the games they pull on you. Jason was always there to help with words of encouragement and explanation as to what things ment and what's going to happen next .Also kept me on track of my responsibilities . I had an injury to my right rotator cuff at work .After having one surgery I had too have another for a frozen shoulder. Nothing but problems trying to work with workmans comp I hired Jason at Jay Trucks & Associates I highly recommend them. Today my settlement was finalized for a (very generous amount ). Thank you Jason!!! Thank you Liz for always being there when I called. Thank you Jay Trucks & Associates!!!

Lynn Allbee

Nicest people very caring and easy to have contact with.A very Professional!

Shar Landis

I thank you all for taking my case working with me for over 3 years Jason did an awesome job so did his associates You always kept me in the loop of what was going on I would have to say you guys are as good as what you guys do and you do it with your best ability and what you have to work with greatly appreciated God bless all

LBJ 13

I had an easy experience. I could call
Jayson anytime or he would call me right away. He kept me up to date with any and all information, in a timely manner. My settlement went smoothly. I would definitely refer my family and friends to Jay Trucks.